Dantewada Naxal attack: At least 10 jawans and one driver were killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast carried out by Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on Wednesday.
According to an official, the incident took place under Aranpur police station limits when a team of the state police's District Reserve Guard (DRG) was returning after an anti-Naxalite operation. The police sources said that Naxalites blew up the mini-goods van in which the security personnel were travelling by using the IED.
Confirming the incident, Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, "There is such information with us. It is very saddening. My condolences to the bereaved families. This fight is in its last stage. Naxals won't be spared."
CM Baghel pays condolences to bereaved families
"The news of the martyrdom of our 10 DRG jawans and a driver due to IED blast on the DRG force which had arrived for an anti-Naxal operation on the information of the presence of Maoist cadre under Aranpur police station area of Dantewada is very sad. We all the people of the state pay our respects to him. We all share in the grief of their families. May his soul rest in peace", the Chhattisgarh CM tweeted.
According to sources, Naxals made a fox-hole and placed IEDs around 50-100 kg and the incident was carried out at the same place where one MLA was killed in 2019.
Amit Shah takes stock of situation
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Chief Minister Baghel and took stock of the situation in the state. During his telephonic conversation, Shah assured the Chhattisgarh CM that the Centre would provide all possible help to the state government.
PM Modi strongly condemns the attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to condemn the attack and also paid tribute to jawans who lost their lives. "Strongly condemn the attack on the Chhattisgarh police in Dantewada. I pay my tributes to the brave personnel we lost in the attack. Their sacrifice will always be remembered. My condolences to the bereaved families (sic)," he stated.
